Streamer vs computer?

The Bluesound Node 2 (which is what I think you refer to) would probably not be as good as a computer/MQA certified DAC combo.
I only use the BSound for multiroom streaming and output to a higher quality DAC.
If I recall correctly, the Tidal MQA decode is only a partial decode of the MQA signal. To get the full MQA you need to use a DAC with MQA decoding.
That being said, I concur with 2psyop regarding MQA sound quality. It does sound different, sometimes better, but I can't say it is worth the expense, and I wonder if it may just be another tech gizmo like Dolby-enhancing some features while destroying others.
B

I have a Node 2 and really like it. But I have to say it fits my budget. I cannot afford to buy a $3000 streamer and $2500 DAC. Also I wanted to get away from using my computer to play music. For me, it was not designed to be a music player, like the Node 2 is. I can access all my older Itunes ripped music files on a NAS, play streamed music, enjoy Tidal MQA ....all by using my Ipad as a controller for $500. It has already proved worth the investment. I have ran it out to a Benchmark DAC and a Schiit DAC. To my ears, MQA played with the internal BS Node 2 dac sounded best.

Thanks for your responses!
@gdnrbob -- you are correct, I was talking about the Bluesound Node 2, not Bluenote. And yes, I can only get 24/96 from Tidal MQA's desktop app; the reason I'm looking at the Node 2 and other MQA DACs is so I can get 24/192 from Tidal. 

@2psyop -- I'm in a similar situation; spending $5K so I can get closer to vinyl quality from my CD collection does not make sense to me.  From your response, it sounds like the advantages of Node 2 are:
1) it enables full unfolding of MQA files;
2) it can be remotely controlled from your iPad (nice feature), and
3) it frees up your computer for other uses.

Currently, my only DAC is the one built into my Cambridge CXU, which isn't very good.  I was hoping to get a better, standalone DAC with my next audio purchase, and it seemed like the Node 2 would just give me a second low quality DAC with the ability to stream, which I already have with my computer.   Nevertheless, your endorsement of MQA through the Node 2's DAC, over Benchmark and Schitt, caught my interest.  Were you running the Node 2's converted (analog) output into those DACs, or were you running Tidal's Redbook, non-MQA signal to them? 

For any others reading this who think I'm wasting my time with MQA, I have this question. Tidal's Master subscription gives you two options: standard 16/44.1 Redbook streaming or 24/192 MQA.  I'm not aware of any other way to stream high res files, and I generally prefer the sound of Tidal/MQA to Redbook.  Since there is no other competitive hi-res streaming source, why wouldn't I take advantage of MQA?

MQA is not really high resolution. In fact, there are good indications that it is inferior or at least not better than cd red book. Look at the relevant threads.

@willemj thanks, but you did not answer my question. In the online streaming world, what other choice is there? If your answer is just Redbook, I disagree. I have done many comparisons, and MQA wins (or at least ties) every time.